Photo: Run Club members and Mother and daughter, Liz and Julia.
Treat the OG Athlete in Your Life
It’s time to show our appreciation for the mommas out there! They show up for you every day, so this is an opportunity to tell them just how much they mean to you. Whether you want to get them a brand new tennis racket, or just a pair of socks to upgrade their running setup, this Gift Guide has got you covered.
Running Shoes
The New Balance 1080 has been a go-to high-cushion trainer for years, and the V15 is the best one yet. Previous versions were plush and comfortable but lacked responsiveness, so New Balance added Infinion cushioning to the midsole, a snappier layer that boosts energy return. The result is a shoe that's still ultra-soft for long runs and recovery days, but noticeably faster and more versatile.
It’s not just New Balance that is dominating the cushioned running shoe game these days; Asics dropped a bombshell on the industry when they developed the Novablast back in 2020.
The Novablast is one of the fastest high-cushioned runners on the market, blending pace with comfort better than most. They’ve been refining this winning formula over the past several generations, adding a bit more bounce to the V5 this time around.
If you want a daily trainer that also doubles as an excellent race shoe, there are few better options on the market today than the Novablast V5.
Running Socks
A pair of premium socks can revolutionize anyone’s running setup. High-end socks provide excellent moisture-wicking and allow you to run for hours without developing any blisters.
Everyone has their preferences for cushioning and design, and Feetures has you covered. Their Elite Light No Shows are their lowest profile option, providing a close-to-the-foot, streamlined fit, and leaving the ankle uncovered for better breathability. If you prefer something a little softer, their High Performance Cushion Quarter Socks is a perfect option with a slightly plusher feel and a low ankle wrap. The Elite Light Quarter Socks are a blend of the two: low cushioning and an ankle wrap.
Tennis Rackets
It’s been a phenomenal year for tennis rackets so far.
We’ve seen a number of popular frames get an update in 2026, including the Head Boom MPL; one of the most user-friendly and powerful rackets out there. Head added Hybor technology to the layup, which adds some power and gives it better feel for control and connection to the ball.
The MPL combines a 270-gram static weight with a 100-square-inch head size, giving it a massive sweet spot and very easy racket head speed. If you want something forgiving and powerful that will also help you develop better technique, this is a great option.
Head also came out with a brand new line this year (surprise, surprise): the Head Squared.
The Squared is essentially Head’s response to the Wilson Clash, but there is a major difference between the two rackets. While the Clash has a fairly normal swing weight and balance (285 swing weight and 7 points head-light), the Squared has a 270 swing weight and is a whopping 15 points head-light.
As you can imagine, that makes it extremely easy to bring through contact. This gives higher-level intermediates the easy swing speed of a light racket with the stability of a standard weight frame, and is a design that no company has dared to try before.
The end product is fantastic, and if you would like to learn more about the Squared, you can check out our full review linked below. Between the Clash and the Squared, go for the Clash if you want a more “normal” feeling racket that is very comfortable and forgiving; go for the Squared if you want easy racket head speed, comfort, and a very unique swing feel.
Tennis Balls
For a slightly more budget-oriented Mother’s Day gift, a brand-new can of tennis balls could be perfect for players who’ve been using older balls for too long. Our favourites are the Dunlop Australian Opens and Babolat Gold Championships. These combine a nice soft feel with solid durability and will certainly be an upgrade for someone who’s been playing with balls that have lost their pressure.
Pickleball Paddles
Choosing a pickleball paddle can be overwhelming with so many options out there, so here are a few things to consider. One of the most important factors is the power-to-control ratio. While power is certainly enticing, we do recommend you try to keep it balanced because power paddles make it very difficult to play in the kitchen.
The new Honolulu Pickleball CR paddles are some of the best all-court paddles on the market. They balance power with exceptional feel and control as well as very competitive spin.
Of course, if you want even more spin, the CR Crystal Blue paddles are even better. In terms of shape, go for the J2 if you want something quick and manoeuvrable; go for the J6 if you want more reach and leverage for power and spin.
The CRBN Waves paddles are a little more power-oriented but also balance that power well with control. CRBN’s unique foam core gives these paddles a very big sweet spot so you don’t have to make perfect contact to still produce a good quality ball. The Waves also come in a ton of shapes (more than the CR paddles), so you can fine-tune your pick based off of your playing style.
Buying a paddle for someone else can be tricky if you're not sure what they like. When in doubt, ask first, or better yet, let them demo a paddle before committing to a purchase. The same goes for tennis rackets too.
Pickleballs
Like tennis balls, pickleballs also have a lifespan of their own. Luckily, it’s pretty obvious when pickleballs go bad; they crack or they become oval to a point where they don’t bounce properly anymore.
There are two types of outdoor pickleballs: fast balls and slow balls. More advanced players should use fast balls and beginners who are just getting into the sport should use slow balls. The Franklin X-40 blends a nice crisp feel with good durability, and the Penn 40 Outdoor Pickleball is our pick for a good, introductory ball.
Court Shoes
If you know someone who plays tennis or pickleball and is happy with their racket/paddle, what they may need is a new pair of court shoes. Very often, players are happy with their shoes and end up using them for far too long. An overused court shoe lacks stability and traction and can (in extreme cases) lead to accidental injuries.
Asics makes some of the best court shoes on the market. Their Gel-Resolution X is extremely popular due to its fantastic support, stability, and durability. It’s also very comfortable, and the major update this time around was to make it a little bit more roomy in the toe box. This accommodates wider feet very well, so it’s a well-rounded option that will work for most players.
Of course, in order to make it so stable and protective, it’s one of the bulkier options in Asics’ lineup, so if you want something lighter, check out the Solution Speed FF4. It’s made from a mostly mesh upper but still provides fantastic stability considering how light it is. This is a perfect shoe for pickleball players who don’t require the same level of lateral stability that tennis players do.
The ON Roger Fire Pro is another great lightweight option with a very grounded overall feel. It doesn’t have quite the same airy cushioning of the Solution Speed, but for players who have used Nike Vapors in the past, this provides a similar sensation on court. It’s also a bit more laterally stable than the Solution Speed, so it has a good blend of speed and support which is a very good combination.
Walking Poles
Of course, not everyone is playing tennis, pickleball, or able to go on a run. Some people are recovering from injuries, want to go for a walk for daily exercise, or prefer hiking. A set of walking poles can be very useful in any of these situations. For those recovering from injuries, we recommend the Urban Pole Activator. This has been tested by medical professionals to provide the most stability possible. Other options include the beautiful Urban Pole Spirit Pole and Urban Pole Series 300.
Glasses
Whether it’s for style, sun protection, or saving your eyeballs from a flying pickleball, a pair of glasses is a great gift idea for Mother’s Day. Goodr makes some very high-quality and inexpensive glasses that can be used for sports or for style. We recommend the BFG and Circle G; choose between the two based off of the design you prefer.
We all know how fast the game of pickleball has become. Getting hit with a ball from point-blank range can hurt, but when it hits your eyes, that can cause some real damage. Not everyone likes wearing glasses when they play a court sport because they can hamper your field of view; that’s where Kitchen Blockers come in. These are a lensless pair of glasses solely designed to protect your eyes and do a fantastic job of just that. We can’t recommend these enough as they can be the difference between disaster and a funny story to tell about how you almost lost an eye.
Run Club
We're rounding out this year's Gift Guide with our Run Club. Know a mom who's been wanting to get back into running but needs a little push? This could be the perfect gift. Led by coach Lara Penno, our Run Club offers a fun, supportive community for runners of all levels. Our Spring session runs May 5th to June 13th and includes destination and trail runs, strength circuits, run drills, and technique exercises.
Gift Card
If none of our suggestions meet her needs, a gift card lets Mom choose exactly what she wants. Whether she's been eyeing a new racket, a pair of running shoes, or the latest pickleball paddle, she'll be able to pick something she'll actually use and love.
